When Rap Evolves :::: Jay-Z Glastonbury 2008 Wonderwall Oasis cover 99 Problems

I am simply blow away by this performance from Jay-Z. If I said anymore than that I would have to write a book and neither you or I have that time to spear. So I would like this short clip to show you what I felt. You will see an artist behind the artist and your mind will finally connect the dots on who this guy really is. Perhaps In short, his greatness is undeniable. Even if he is a man amongst men, he is the King of Musical lyrics and performance.


Now many of you may have heard about the hype suronding the artist formerly knowins as Jay-Z. Shawn Carter almost did not make it on that stage. However I am not one to repeat the facts. I rather give it to you from a source I respect.

There’s been a lot of controversy concerning Jay-Z being a Glastonbury headliner, notably from Noel Gallagher who told BBC News “I’m sorry, but Jay-Z? No chance”, which is the first thing we hear as cut-together video clips light up the big screens and the faces of the thousands who have turned up to watch.

Jay-Z walks on stage wearing a Gallagher style parka and begins with a tongue-in-cheek cover of ‘Wonderwall’, which the crowd duly sing and sway along to. There is a tentative mood hanging in the air as to how he will be received but, as he energetically launches into ‘99 Problems’, everyone screams, hands go up and you hear a chorus of people shouting word perfect lyrics back at the stage.

Jay-Z mishmashes old classic hits from Hard Knock Life, The Blueprint and The Black Album and hits us with specially written rhymes about Glastonbury, the aftermath of New Orleans, George W. Bush and Barack Obama (“It’s time for a change!” he announces as onscreen Bush’s face is replaced by Obama’s) - it’s cleverly written, amazingly performed and all to rapturous applause and cheers.

“Do the ladies here like American men?” asks Jay-Z, the ladies (and men) show their appreciation while Estelle’s ‘American Boy’ kicks in and Jay-Z rocks the mic over the top, he also performs over Amy Winehouse’s ‘Rehab’ and Rhianna’s ‘Umbrella’, so if you’re having trouble rapping along with him there’s always something you can sing along to. He’s a superstar and one of the best rappers in the world. Actually, scrap that – THE best rapper in the world!

His lyrics are intelligent, well written and as he spits them into the mic the pace of his rapping gets faster and faster, almost to the point of being indecipherable, and you wonder why he’s not passing out as he’s still going strong minutes after anyone else would be gasping for air.

If people still think Jay-Z doesn’t belong at Glastonbury they are wrong. He’s one of the best performers in the world and Glastonbury is lucky to have him.

Callie Middlemiss

Update*** I am going to give you all of it.